Adjusting to Dentures: 4 Helpful Steps

No one wants to live with missing teeth. Not only can gaps and spaces impact your self-confidence, but they can also affect your oral health and your ability to eat and speak. Fortunately, dentures are a quick and simple solution, whether you’re missing one of your teeth or all of them. However, that doesn’t mean your life will return to normal immediately after your new dentures come in.

Dentures have an acrylic, gum-colored base in the shape of a horseshoe, and they sit firmly over your gums. And once your new teeth are in place, they may take a bit to get used to. However, at Goodman Dental Center in Queen Creek, Arizona, we’ll be with you every step of the way, from getting the perfect fit to getting completely comfortable eating and speaking. Here are a few tips to make the transition with your dentures go a little smoother.

1. Give it time

You will need some time to adjust to your new dentures, especially if you’ve been missing teeth for a long time. The most important thing to do is remain patient as you learn to eat and speak with your dentures. You can rest assured that modern dentures are far more comfortable and functional than those in the past, so you should be able to get used to them quickly.

2. Don’t be afraid to practice

If you find speaking or eating with dentures difficult in the beginning, don’t worry. This can happen with anything new you may try. But there’s a solution: practice. Try reading out loud so you can get the feel of how your dentures interact with your tongue and other teeth. You can also try singing. Every bit of practice will help you get more comfortable with your new dentures.

3. Ask us for help

Our goal is always to provide a great fit from the beginning. But, no matter how great a fit it is, you may need an adjustment or two as your gums and mouth adapt. As you get used to your dentures, make sure to pay attention to how they feel, and let us know if they slip or cause friction with your tongue, cheeks, or gums.

4. Practice good oral hygiene

Taking good care of your dentures and practicing good oral hygiene is always important, even if you’ve lost all of your natural teeth. When your dentures arrive, make sure to follow our instructions for proper cleaning and denture care, and keep brushing and flossing your remaining natural teeth as usual.

And don’t worry! Once you make it through the temporary adjustment period, your dentures will feel, look, and function like the real thing, and we’ll help you every step of the way. 

To learn more about dentures and other dental restoration options, book an appointment over the phone with Goodman Dental Center today.